Riverside Child Support Attorneys

Divorcing parents are responsible for financial support during the divorce process. While child support amounts are determined by set calculations, the best interests of the children should be foremost in the minds of parents. In divorce and relationships that end where there was no marriage, they are the unseen and unheard victims.

The Riverside County, CA court system has a duty to ensure a custody and support arrangement that suits the best interests of the children. If you want to ensure you receive a fair child support hearing, you need a reliable family law attorney with the experience and resources to guide you to the best possible results.

Personalized Representation From A San Bernardino Divorce Attorney

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey have extensive experience handling child custody cases and support proceedings in Riverside, San Bernardino, and throughout the Inland Empire of California. Our firm has the resources and professional connections to ensure our clients receive the most reliable and comprehensive legal representation possible for their child support cases. We know how stressful and painful these situations can be for everyone involved and do our best to ensure our clients reach the most positive possible outcomes with their cases.

Many divorcing parents are unsure about how child support determinations happen. Ultimately, the court has the final say, but each divorcing parent has the right to present evidence and make a case to argue for the most equitable support arrangement possible that assures the financial security of their children.

Child support amounts depend on multiple factors that include:

• Both custodial and noncustodial parents’ incomes
• Tax filing status of the divorcing parents
• Additional financial obligations
• Amount of time each parent spends with the children
• Occasionally, the standard of living enjoyed before the divorce

While support amounts are determined by computer calculations, the data can still be disputed. Income and expenses reported by self-employed spouses and those who own businesses may require more in-depth investigations. At the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, we team with forensic accountants to ensure that the factors calculated for child support are accurate.

What to Expect During Child Support Agreement Proceedings

Generally, child support agreements follow child custody agreements. Once the court determines the best possible custody arrangement for the couple’s children, the court then must determine each parent’s financial responsibilities toward raising the children. If the spouse who gains majority custody is also the higher-earning spouse, the other spouse will likely have fewer custody rights but a smaller child support obligation. If the lower-earning spouse obtains majority custody or full legal custody, then the other noncustodial, higher-earning spouse will likely pay a substantial amount of child support.

During the initial phases of the legal processes surrounding child custody and child support agreements, the judge hearing the case will ask each parent’s goals and preferences when it comes to custody and support. If the children involved are older, generally over the age of 10, the judge may also take their input to help determine what type of custody arrangement would be in their best interests. Once the judge has used the available evidence and testimonies to determine the most suitable custody arrangement, child support determination will follow.

This phase will involve each parent making their respective cases in regard to child support. Their attorneys will provide necessary documentation to prove their financial situations, employment arrangements, and suitability for paying or receiving child support. Even in joint custody arrangements in which each parent retains 50% custody over the children, the higher-earning spouse should expect to pay child support to the lower-earning spouse.

While you likely do not want to be involved in the divorce process, we strive to minimize the adversarial nature and pursue the best outcome on your behalf. Experience has allowed Riverside child support lawyer Catherine A. Schwartz to streamline the process and expedite your child custody matter and other aspects of your divorce.

Penalties for Nonpayment of Child Support

It’s not uncommon for a divorcing parent to wind up owing much more child support than they anticipated. The right attorney can help ensure a fair and equitable child support determination. During the child support proceedings, the court will determine each parent’s ability to pay for their children’s financial needs and make an appropriate determination based on the available facts in the case.

If a parent is somehow unable to pay child support as required, there are legal steps they can take to petition the court for a reduced payment amount or a temporary hold on their support obligations for certain circumstances, such as losing a job or sudden extreme medical expenses. However, a parent who refuses or fails to pay child support when able to do so risks criminal penalties, wage garnishment, fines, and possibly reduced parental rights.

Contact The Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey For A Free Consultation

Divorce is a difficult process, especially when children are involved. At the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey, we understand how difficult child support proceedings can be for everyone and strive to make the process as easy for our clients in Riverside, CA as possible. Our team of attorneys will work closely with you to fully understand every element of your divorce situation and uncover all of the documentation necessary to ensure a fair and reasonable child support arrangement.

For more information, contact the Law Offices of Schwartz & Godbey at (951) 686-8190 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our office is located on the corner of Arlington and Magnolia in Riverside. For the convenience of our clients, we accept appointments in the evenings and on weekends and accept all major credit cards.